Bryan Is First Governor from Territory to Co-Chair a National Association of Governors Task Force

Bryan is First Governor From Territory to Co-Chair a National Association of Governors Task Force

Pdf Published On March 01, 2021 08:04 AM Staff Consortium | March 01, 2021 08:04:31 AM

Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. By GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Governor Albert Bryan was appointed to the National Governors Association (NGA) Task Force on Community Renewal during the organization’s 2021 Winter Meeting, which was held virtually on Thursday with keynote speaker President Joe Biden, Government House has announced.

According to the release, Mr. Bryan, who will co-chair the task force with Missouri Governor Mike Parson, is the first governor from the U.S. Virgin Islands to co-chair an NGA task force.

In a statement issued Saturday about the appointment, Mr. Bryan hailed it as an important opportunity for the U.S. Virgin Islands and a stepping stone for the inclusion of the insular territories in the policy discussions surrounding the issues confronting communities across the nation.

“The U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the other insular territories, are often left out of the important conversations that lead to the reforms and policy changes to which many communities across this country benefit,” he said. “With this seat at the table, we now have the opportunity to ensure that the unique needs of the U.S. Virgin Islands are heard and ultimately addressed in national policy, especially in the areas of education, rural development and agriculture.”

Also serving as members on the task force are Governors Kay Ivey of Alabama; Doug Ducey of Arizona; Jared Polis of Colorado; Greg Gianforte of Montana; Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma; Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania; Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island; Jay Inslee of Washington; and Tony Evers of Wisconsin. The Community Renewal Task Force has jurisdiction over a broad range of issue areas, including Workforce Development, Nutrition, Education, Criminal Justice, Agriculture and Broadband.

NGA has also created task forces on Economic Recovery and Revitalization and Pandemic and Disaster Response to coordinate bipartisan state and territorial efforts to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lead economic recovery and renewal efforts.

The 2021 NGA Winter Meeting featured the nation’s governors discussing their ongoing work to manage the impact of COVID-19, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine distribution equity, and the one- shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Governors also discussed their responses to the winter storms in Texas and climate change.